topham



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

e. TOP'HAM.

PURSE.

Patented Jan. 26, 1892.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2. G. TOPHAM.

PURSE (No Model.)

No. 467,760. Patented Jan. 26, 1892.

1 wenn m, mmwmq. wml-cfu, n. c,

i NITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

GEORGE TOPIIAM, OF IVASIIINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO JAMES S. TOPHAM, OF SAME PLACES PURSE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 467,760, dated January 26, 1892.

Application tiled August 28, 1891.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE TOPHAM, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Vashington, District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Purses, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is a combination of purse and bill-holder in which no frame is required and to in the use of which the purse and bill-holder are independent. In the constructions shown the bill-holder and purse are back to back, the bill-holder being substantially formed by wings on the back ofthe purse.

The combined purse and bill-holder form a complete receptacle, one for coin and the otherfor bills, all in one, and yet each independently usable.

In the accompanying drawings two forms zo of purse only are shown, both old, but shown in order to illustra-te fully my invention; but I do not confine myself to these forms, as others can be used Without departing from the spirit of my invention.

In the drawings, Figures l, 2, and 3 are views of my invention embodied in a purse of ordinary form. Figs. 4 and 5 are views of the invention as combined with the Capehart purse.

In Figs. l, 2, and is shown an ordinary form of coin-holding purse. It consists of a simple pocket bounded by the lines a I), which indicate the closed sides, and the line Z) I), which indicates the closed bottom. The line a a indicates the open end, constituting the mouth of the purse. At this end is the flap D, attached to or formed continuous with the back of the purse and adapted to fold down over the front and thus to close the mouth.

On the back of the purse shown in Fig. 2 is the bill-holder. This is formed by two wings E E, attached to the margin, or, as I prefer, formed continuous with the material of the back. These wings are preferably of the same size as the back of the purse, and the Whole is so proportioned that when the Wings are opened and laid flat they, with the back of the purse, form a surface equal, at least, to the area of a bill. The Wings fold at the margin of the back, and when the bills have been Serial No. 403,'980. (No model.)

laid upon the back and wings, the Wings are folded down one on top of the other, as illustrated in Fig. 3. An elastic strapis shown as forming a holder to keep the flaps in place; but a catch or any well-known holder may be used instead. The elastic strap F is attached by inserting the ends and sewing in the ordinary manner.

In Figs. t and 5 I have shown the bill- 6o holder applied to the Oapehart purse. In this the wings E E are in the same manner attached to or form a part of the back G of the purse and are folded down upon the bills in the manner above described, and also, in the same Way as above, held by an elastic strap or other fastening.

In both forms illustrated, or with any equivalent form of purse, the flaps are combined with or form a part of the back of the 7o purse, no frame is required, a great saving of material is effected in the manufacture, and the article is very convenient.

In one flap of the bill-holder I form a pocket f for tickets or postage-stamps. Thisis made by stitching or otherwise attaching to the iapa thin piece of leather in the ordinary manner. By folding this down iirstand the other iiap over it the stamps are protected and kept in good condition.

I am aware that purses have been provided with bill-holding attachments-as, for example, in the United States Patent No. 262,4(56, wherein a flap having folding edges is attached to a purse and is adapted to fold about it. In my invention the iiaps are attached to or form a part of the back of the purse itself and fold down on said back.

I claim as my invention- A combined purse and bill-holder, the bill- 9o holder being formed of two overlapping wings attached to or forming a part of opposite sides of the back of the purse, the fold of said Wings being on the margins of the back, sub stantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signaturein presence of two Witnesses.

GEO. TOPIIAM.

Witnesses:

HENRY E. COOPER, F. L. MTDDLETON. 

